It is impossible to grow up in a culture in which heterosexist, homophobic, and transphobic messages are prevalent and not be impacted by such messages. Therefore, it is no wonder that most parents experience some degree of shame, fear, and loss upon learning that their own child is same-sex oriented or gender non-conforming. While most parents become more accepting, or at least more tolerant, over time, others remain partially or fully rejecting even years after learning of their child's identity. Ongoing parental criticism, invalidation, and rejection of one's sexual or gender identity can take a profound psychological toll and could lead to internalized homophobia, expectations for future gay-related rejection by others, depression, and other negative impacts. In contrast, parental acceptance is associated with lower rates of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, higher self-esteem, higher levels of perceived social support, lower levels of psychological symptoms, and better general health. This book describes the process of conducting attachment-based family therapy for sexual and gender minority young adults and their non-accepting parents. ABFT-SGM is designed to help reduce parental rejection, facilitate parental acceptance, and ultimately, promote safe, mutually respectful, closer, validating, loving, and meaningful relationships between LGBT+ young adults and their parents.
